X FACTOR 2018 is just around the corner but has already seen backlash to the new judges, with Ayda Field’s credentials questioned by fans. Now, one former contestant has addressed why Simon Cowell chose to give the job to Robbie Williams’ wife.

Actress Ayda, 39, was confirmed to be joining her husband Robbie, 44, One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, 26, and show boss Simon, 58, last month.

Stacey Solomon, 28, who shot to fame when she competed on X Factor back in 2009 and regularly works with Ayda on Loose Women, voiced her support for her pal in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk as she gave an insight into the workings of Simon’s business brain.

“I’ve spent time with [Ayda] outside of telly and she’s just so brilliant,” she said.

“I can actually imagine her and Simon having a conversation and him thinking, I want her to be a judge.

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“Regardless of Robbie and everything else, because I know the type of people which he really gets on with and likes and sees potential in, I can imagine him thinking, that’s the kind of personality I want on my show.”

Stacey also backed Ayda’s appointment following a backlash from fans, in which many accused the American star of not having the right credentials for the job.

“It’s not a popular opinion. I actually think Ayda will be incredible,” Stacey said.

“I know that she knows a hell of a lot about the music industry through Robbie’s career. She’s been involved in a lot, like a lot.

“She’s really funny, she’s eloquent, she’s actually really smart and intelligent and I do think that she’s got the credentials to be a great judge,” she continued.

“Sometimes people forget it’s so important to have great personality on the judging panel,” she insisted. “Because it does draw in viewers and it does make people feel at home.

X Factor 2018: Ayda Field was backed by Stacey Solomon as a judge (Image: GETTY)

“I’m excited to do this campaign because, first of all my kids like Coco Pops,” she laughed. “There’s not a lot of kids that don’t. And also I do care a lot about the fact that they’ve improved the recipe.

“Sometimes I get so busy that there’s days where I’m just like, get your own breakfast kids! And there are some days where I’ve got that little bit of extra time and you forget how nice it is to start your day sat and the table and having conversations and spending time with each other.”

Speaking about striking the right balance, she added: “The most important thing is to not feel guilty about everything.

“At the end of the day, if I don’t work then I can’t provide for my children. As much as I’d like to be around them all the time, and they’d love that as well, I also realise that’s just not my circumstances and I couldn’t provide that way. You just have to cut yourself a bit of slack sometimes.”